The Oldest Confucian Temple in China, Dating Back Over 860 Years

The Pingyao Confucian Temple, located at 17 Wenmiao Street, Pingyao County, was initially built during the early years of the Tang Dynasty's Zhenguan era. Its Dacheng Hall, rebuilt in 1163 during the Jin Dynasty's Dading period, retains its original appearance. It is the oldest existing hall among all Confucian temples in China and the only remaining Jin Dynasty structure among them, designated as a major national cultural preservation site. The Confucian Temple complex, encompassing the East School, West School, and the central temple area, covers a total area of 35,811 square meters, with the temple area occupying 8,649.6 square meters. It consists of five courtyards and three building clusters: the central temple area and the East and West School palaces on either side. The overall layout of the temple reflects the standard design of Chinese Confucian temples since the Yuan and Ming Dynasties. The East School now houses the Pingyao International Photography Museum, along with the Chongsheng Shrine and the Jiexiao Shrine, dedicated to the ancestors of Confucius and virtuous women, respectively. The West School houses the Pingyao Exhibition Hall of Shanxi Province, showcasing calligraphy and painting masterpieces by renowned artists and traditional folk paper-cuttings. Along the central axis, from south to north, stand the Lingxing Gate, Dacheng Gate, Dacheng Hall, Minglun Hall, Jingyi Pavilion, and Zangjing Pavilion. The five courtyards are divided into service, sacrificial, Confucian study, and imperial examination areas. The first gate, the Lingxing Gate, is named after Lingxing, also known as Wenquxing (the God of Literature), believed to be the star from which Confucius descended. The gate symbolizes Confucius's role as the "master of scholars' fortune." Crossing the Panchi Pond and the Zhuangyuan (top scholar) Bridge signifies a smooth path to success. On either side of the Panchi Pond are the Minghuan Shrine and the Xiangxian Shrine, dedicated to officials and local figures who made significant contributions to the country and the county. The second gate, the Dacheng Gate, has three entrances: east, central, and west. The central gate is usually closed, with visitors using the side gates, the east called "Jinsheng" (Golden Sound) and the west called "Yuzhen" (Jade Vibration). The second courtyard is the sacrificial area, dominated by the Dacheng Hall, the oldest existing structure among all Confucian temples in China, dating back over 860 years. It houses a statue of Confucius. The "Four Companions"—Yan Hui, Kong Ji, Zeng Shen, and Mencius—are also enshrined, along with the "Ten Wise Ones" on platforms to the east and west: Min Sun, Ran Yong, Duanmu Ci, Zhong You, Bu Shang, You Ruo, Ran Geng, Zai Yu, Ran Qiu, Yan Yan, and Zhuan Sun Shi. The side halls house statues of the Seventy-Two Disciples. In the third courtyard, the Longmen Arch (Dragon Gate Arch) symbolizes a leap to success, with those who jump over it becoming "dragons" and those who fail, "fish." The main hall, Minglun Hall, built during the mid-Ming Dynasty, served as a place for Confucian scholars to lecture and practice rituals. It now houses an exhibition on the life of Confucius. The adjacent buildings, Shixi Zhai and Rixin Zhai, were used by lecturers for teaching and studying. They now host exhibitions on "Ancient Education" and "The Four Treasures of the Study." On either side of Minglun Hall are the Xianhou Shrine and the Zhongxiao Shrine, dedicated to meritorious officials and loyal figures. The Chaoshan Academy in the fourth courtyard, established during the Ming Dynasty, has 30 rooms and a three-bay lecture hall. It now serves as a museum of China's ancient imperial examination system, with nine exhibition halls showcasing artifacts and images related to the system. The "treasure of the temple," and a national treasure of China, is the only surviving Zhuangyuan (top scholar) examination paper from the imperial examination era. The fifth courtyard houses the Jingyi Pavilion and the Zun Jing Pavilion, which enshrine the largest statue of Kuixing (God of Examinations) and the most revered Wenchang Dijun (God of Culture and Literature) in China. Kuixing is a folk deity believed to preside over literary fortune. Wenchang Dijun, also known as Wenchangxing, is the star that governs literary achievements. The Zun Jing Pavilion, the highest and most revered structure in the temple, houses the Wenchang Pagoda and serves as a library. The Pingyao Confucian Temple boasts six distinctions: the oldest existing Confucian temple in China, the most complete preserved Confucian temple complex in China, the largest collection of statues of Confucius and Confucian scholars in China, the largest existing exhibition on the history of the Chinese imperial examination system, and China's only specialized photography museum.